1 Million Gather at World Fireworks Festival After 3 Years... Traffic Congestion on the Way Home (Comprehensive Report 2)

On the 8th, the spectacular fireworks of the 2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival viewed from Namsan, Seoul, decorated the night sky. The theme of the fireworks festival, held for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, was "We Hope Again," conveying the meaning of comforting the daily lives exhausted by COVID-19. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] On the afternoon of the 8th, the ‘2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival’ was held for the first time in three years since the spread of COVID-19 at Yeouido Hangang Park area in Seoul.

The theme of this event held after three years is 'We Hope Again.' It means comforting the daily lives of citizens exhausted by the spread of COVID-19 and launching fireworks of dreams and hope again.

The fireworks festival, a representative social contribution activity of Hanwha Group, was held on the largest scale ever this year. The section where fireworks are displayed was expanded from the existing Wonhyo Bridge~Hangang Railroad Bridge to Mapo Bridge. The viewing area was widened accordingly, allowing more spectators to enjoy the festival.

Three teams participated in this fireworks festival, including Korea, Japan, and Italy.

On the 8th, citizens who watched the 2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival at Namsan, Seoul, are waiting for the bus to go home. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

First, the Japanese team delivered a message of hope overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic with a work titled 'Sky Full of Hope,' followed by the Italian team presenting a work called 'New World,' meaning a new world, accompanied by intense music.

The Korean team decorated the highlight of the festival for 30 minutes from 8 o’clock. More than one million people gathered from all over Seoul for this fireworks festival. The procession returning home after the fireworks festival is also getting longer. According to the Seoul Traffic Information System (TOPIS), as of 7 p.m., the vehicle traffic speed in downtown Seoul is 18.7 km/h.

The police fully controlled Yeouidong-ro, extending from the southern end of Mapo Bridge to in front of the 63 Building, from 2 p.m.

On the 8th, the spectacular fireworks of the 2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival viewed from Namsan, Seoul, decorated the night sky. The theme of the fireworks festival, held for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, was "We Hope Again," conveying a message of comfort to lives exhausted by COVID-19. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

To minimize traffic congestion around Yeouido for the ‘2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival’ held that day, Seoul City increased subway Line 5 and Line 9 services by 70 runs and concentrated bus dispatches. All 19 bus routes passing through Yeouidong-ro, including two village buses and three Gyeonggi buses, were rerouted.

The number of subway Line 5 runs increased from 45 to 63 between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Line 9 runs increased from 140 to 192 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Twenty-six bus routes passing through Yeouido Transfer Center, Yeouido Station, and Yeouinaru Station were also concentratedly dispatched from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. to match the event’s end time.

At 16 stations around the event venue, including Yeouido Station and Yeouinaru Station, about 259 safety personnel, approximately five times more than usual, were deployed. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "During the holiday period, vehicle congestion is expected on car-only roads in Yeouido and downtown areas such as Sejong-daero in Seoul. Please use public transportation such as the subway, and if using a vehicle, take a long detour and follow the traffic police’s hand signals well."

On the 8th, the spectacular fireworks of the 2022 Seoul World Fireworks Festival viewed from Namsan, Seoul, decorated the night sky. The theme of the fireworks festival, held for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic, was "We Hope Again," conveying the meaning of comforting the daily lives exhausted by COVID-19. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@